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Thursday, October 23, 2008

Eric's Blog in the Spotlight

My approach to books is the same way I approach life – obsessively ... I need to read everything by a writer, and I focus on what moves me emotionally and intellectually. My guiding principle is, ‘You’ve got to be in the rain to feel the water’. It’s that way with books, too.

Eric Forbes is featured blogger in the Malay Mail today and deservedly so as he has one of the best literary blogs around - and I'm talking internationally here. And now that Eric is regularly interviewing top authors, I'm often so jealous I could spit.

Fortunately Eric names me as his favourite local blogger, so I forgive him for being so good.

I'm kind of surprised by the lack of comments in general at Eric's blog, considering the readership he must have. Sure, maybe nobody will comment on lists of new releases, but there are also plenty of interesting interviews and articles about authors. An article called 'Does the Short Story Need Saving?' should draw some comments (says someone who also neglected to comment despite the article being interesting...ok I'm going to slowly walk away now...).

I think the key is to actually respond to comments - which inspires others to write again and again. You do that to your readers, Sharon. You engage with us and create a fertile ground for err.. arguments. It's always nice to be acknowledged for a comment here and there. That being said, I read Eric's blog religiously. :)